Apple tree named &#39;PLBAR B1&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘PLBAR B1’ is a new apple tree that originated as a limb sport mutation of ‘Cripps Pink.’ The new variety is notable for its exceptional color and early maturity as compared to ‘Cripps Pink.’ Fruit of the new variety is mature and ready for harvest 14 to 18 days earlier than fruit of ‘Cripps Pink.’

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of co-pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/937,325, filed Jun. 27, 2007.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Malus domestica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PLBAR B1’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘PLBAR B1’ originated as a limb sport mutation of ‘Cripps Pink’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,880). It was discovered by the inventor in a cultivatedorchard at Pemberton, Western Australia during the 1999-2000 growingseason. ‘PLBAR B1’ was asexually propagated by field grafting during the2001-2002 growing season at Pemberton, and has been shown to remain trueto type over successive generations.

‘PLBAR B1’ is a new and distinct apple tree notable for its exceptionalcolor and early maturity as compared to ‘Cripps Pink.’ Fruit of the newvariety is mature and ready for harvest about 14 to 18 days earlier thanfruit of ‘Cripps Pink,’ as measured by a difference of 2 to 3 points inthe industry standard starch score range of 1 to 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 shows the fruit of ‘PLBAR B1’;

FIG. 2 shows a comparison of the fruit of ‘PLBAR B1’ (on the left) toparent variety ‘Cripps Pink’ (on the right) after starch testing.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a tree of the ‘PLBAR B1’ variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following detailed botanical description is based on observations offirst generation trees planted in 2003, and described during the2006-2007 and 2007-2008 growing seasons at Pemberton, Western Australia.Color descriptions refer to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart. It should be understood that the characteristics described willvary somewhat depending upon cultural practices and climatic conditions,and can vary with location and season. Quantified measurements areexpressed as an average of measurements taken from a number ofindividual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individualplant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from thestated average.

-   Tree: Medium to large with dense foliage, upright habit; Very    vigorous; Height 3.1 to 4.1 m; Spread 1.75 to 2 m.-   Trunk: Medium stocky, diameter 23 cm to 25 cm at 30 cm above graft    union; Bark smooth, color light brown; Lenticels — medium density,    cream in color, typical of ‘Cripps Pink.’-   Branches: Thick, smooth, upright; Branching habit — Much branched    with average branching angles (inside measurement) of 45 degrees to    50 degrees if allowed to grow naturally; Color — Green-brown; Shape    of tipbud — Rounded; Lenticels — medium low density, cream in color.-   Winter hardiness: Equivalent to ‘Cripps Pink.’-   Chilling requirement: 400 to 500 hours below 7° C.-   Dormant one year old shoot: Pubescence medium; Size — diameter 4 to    6 mm; Color medium brown; Internode length 49 to 56 mm.-   Bloom period: Late; First bloom October 24 at Pemberton; Full bloom    November 5 at Pemberton.-   Leaves: Large, wide, long, oval, convex, pointed, medium thick,    smooth; Length — 84 to 111 mm; Width — 45 to 56 mm; Color — Green,    medium glossy on upper surface, green with weak pubescence on lower    surface; Margin — Finely serrate, crenate; Petiole — Long, 26 to 41    mm, medium slender, pubescent. Color — Light green; Stipule — Small;    Central leaf vein — Color light green with pink tinge toward basal    end.-   Fruit: Maturity when described — Eating ripe. Size — Large, uniform;    Length — 73 mm; Breadth — 78 mm; Mean fruit weight — 160 to 195 g;    Form — Asymmetrical, ellipsoid-conical with a slight irregular    surface; Medium distal crowns, rounded at base, sides slightly    unbroken, unequal; Axis — Nonvertical; Cavity — Acute, deep 21 mm,    medium width 34 mm, symmetrical, greenish, with very slight unbroken    russet; Basin — Medium crown, ribbed, wide 32 mm, open, medium depth    12 mm; Markings — None; Sepals — Medium, touching; Stem — Medium    length 22 mm, medium thickness 3 mm, not lipped; Calyx — Closed,    V-shaped, medium width and medium depth; Calyx lobes — Reflexed and    divergent; Pubescence — None.-   Skin: Texture — Slightly bumpy, greasy; Bloom — absent; Cracking    tendency — absent; Thickness — medium; Ground color — yellow-green;    Overcolor — pink-red; Percentage of overcolor — 70% to 80%; Russet —    none. Lenticels — medium, numerous, roundish.-   Flesh: Juicy, firm; Color — Créme; Texture — Firm; Flavor — Rich,    complex, sub acid to sweet; Aroma — Distinct, complex and highly    aromatic; Browning of the flesh (one hour after being cut, with    stainless steel knife) — nil; Quality — Best.-   Core: Median. Bundle area — Medium small, symmetrical. Halves of    area — Equal. Bundles — Inconspicuous. Core lines — Meeting,    heart-shaped. Calyx tube — Funnel-form. Pubescence — none. Stem or    funnel — Medium long. Depth of tube to shoulder — About 5 mm. Entire    depth — About 12 mm. Styles — Some present, united at base. Stamens    — Median, in one whorl. Carpels — Closed, axile, symmetrical,    smooth, cordate form, emarginate at outer edge near tip.-   Seeds: Quantity — One or two per cell, not tufted, acute at point,    8-9 mm long, 5 mm wide, obtuse, dark brown.-   Harvest Date: About 14 to 18 days before ‘Cripps Pink.’-   Resistance to known diseases: None noted-   Keeping quality: Good.

1. A new and distinct apple tree substantially as described andillustrated herein.